13 March 2016

Indonesian President Reiterates Support for Palestinian Independence

JAKARTA – As the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) summit got underway in Jakarta on Monday, Indonesian President Joko Widodo urged Israel to end its occupation of the Palestinian territories.

The Indonesian leader said in his opening remarks that international patience with the Israeli occupation has “long run out.”

Delegates from 49 of the 57 OIC member countries are attending the summit, which was organized at the request of the Palestinian Authority.

A handful of countries have sent heads of state, while most are represented by foreign ministers or other officials.

The two-day summit will discuss the deteriorating situation in Palestinian territories. A resolution is also expected to be passed reaffirming the group’s support for an independent Palestine.

“Indonesia is consistent in voicing the rights of the peoples of Palestine, including by the establishment of an independent, democratic and viable state of Palestine,” Widodo said in a statement Sunday, as reported by the Jakarta Globe.